Millers Falls 199 / 200 Breast Drill 2 speed Shift Mechanism

[JohnD]

I just found a nice #200 MF breast drill, the 2 way ratchet works good, but I can't figure out how to shift from high to low speed. The knurled collar between the 2 gears in frame, just back from the chuck, seems like it must have to turn, or slide, or do something to lock itself to one gear or the other? All of the gears are in mesh at the same time on this drill, no provision for repositioning the crank gear to engage differently? Any 199 or 200 drill should have the same shift mechanism, does anyone have experience with one?
Thanks!
John

[Papaw]

The knurled collar has to engage, Look here for info, though it doesn't tell you how to change speeds.
http://oldtoolheaven.com/breast_drills/breast_drill4.htm

[mikeswrenches]

John, As Papaw said it turns.  You may need lots of your favorite penetrating oil, but eventually it will move.

Mike

[JohnD]

I found that page on oldtoolheaven when I started looking for some info but your right, it says nothing about shifting speeds. Drill is about as clean and oiled as it was when new, and it seems unlikely something is just a little stuck, but I'm trying work some additional oil into it. The closer I look, I'm becoming convinced there is something not right with the cross drilled hole and pin in the collar, on one side the pin sits slightly above the knurled surface and its tight, the opposite hole is open to a depth of 3/8". Collar is rigid to main shaft and engaged with the forward gear but there is a few thousandths play so it is not stuck to gear, rear gear freewheels.

[Branson]

To change speeds, you have to shift the axle of the drive gear to the other of the two holes in the frame.